§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to authorise the construction of a third Dartford tunnel.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe tunnel is a local authority responsibility. The improvements now being carried out at Government expense to the tunnel approaches and toll plaza will increase its capacity sufficiently to cope with expected M25 traffic for many years. But traffic growth will be carefully monitored once M25 has come into full use so that any future increase in capacity can be discussed in good time with the Dartford tunnel joint committee.